Amazon Black Friday deals: I've been using this Ninja air fryer for more than a year — and it's on sale for under $200

Confession: I used to loathe cooking. It’s a skill that I’ve had to work hard to develop — especially since becoming a mom. One of the main reasons why I used to dread mealtime was the amount of pots, pants and utensils that would be left for me to clean up.

Things improved drastically once we invested in an air fryer — specifically the Ninja DZ550 Food 10 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone Smart XL Air Fryer, which is currently part of Amazon's Black Friday deals. The handy kitchen appliance has been a game-changer in our growing household — and although it typically retails for $320, it’s currently marked down to $190 — that's a lower price than it was on Amazon Prime Day.

I’ve been using my air fryer for more than a year. Keep reading to read my honest review and shop it on sale.

Ninja

Ninja DZ550 Foodi 10 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone Smart XL Air Fryer

$190$320Save $130

Ninja DZ550 Foodi 10 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone Smart XL Air Fryer is on sale during Black Friday at Amazon.

$190 at Amazon

🔍 The details

The Ninja DZ550 Foodi 10 Quart features two five-quart baskets that allow you to prepare your favourite foods at the same time. The air fryer’s Smart Finish system allows you to prepare foods on different temperatures to finish at the same time or cook both baskets at the same settings using the Match Cook feature.

The unit offers six cooking programs: Air fry, air broil, roast, bake, reheat and dehydrate and offers faster cooking than traditional oven using a nonstick cooking baskets and dishwasher-safe crisper plates. The unit also includes its own leave-in thermometer, so you can be sure your dishes are safely prepared.

👍 What I like about it

My husband and I purchased our Ninja DZ550 Foodi 10 Quart 6-in-1 Air Fryer in June 2023. We were on the hunt for an air fryer that would help us quickly prepare meals at home to enjoy with our then one-year-old son.

It was essential that we found a two-basket air fryer so that we could prepare multiple foods simultaneously. Even though an air fryer could be an accessory to whatever you're cooking in your oven or on your stove, I was looking for a one-stop shop, and I didn't want to have to prepare vegetables, wash the basket and then cook potatoes or meat dishes.

The 10-quart is large enough that we can prepare enough food for two adults and a toddler and still have leftovers. I like that I can air fry chicken in one basket and roast vegetables at a different temperature in the other at the same time without making a mess of pots and pans that I (a very tired working mom) would have to clean up later. It's helped us make healthier choices since we can just toss ingredients and seasoning in the baskets, select a cooking program and get ready to eat — instead of reaching for ultra-processed foods or ordering take-out.

The Ninja DZ550 Foodi 10 Quart 6-in-1 Air Fryer heats up and cooks quickly — so I'm already preparing dinner quickly after daycare pickup instead of waiting for the oven to preheat. As someone who doesn't particularly enjoy cooking, I like that I can quickly prepare meals that taste great without taking hours to cook. We love to make frittatas, roast chicken, bacon, chicken wings, brownies and hard boiled eggs. It's also great for reheating leftovers, like pizza and french fries and of course, every toddler's favourite: chicken nuggets.

🤔 What to consider before you buy

I use my air fryer daily, so there isn't much that I dislike about it. However, if counter-space is limited, this might not be the best option for you. The Ninja DZ550 Foodi 10 Quart 6-in-1 Air Fryer weighs close to 20 lbs and at 43.43 x 35.31 x 32.51 cm, takes up significant real estate in your kitchen and might not be the best for small spaces — especially if your counter is already full of other appliances.

🍽️ What reviewers are saying

Ninja DZ550 Foodi 10 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone Smart XL Air Fryer is a highly-rated item on Amazon, with a 4.7-star rating based on more than 25,000 customer reviews.

One reviewer said they were “really impressed with” their air fryer, and even called the Smart Cook feature “brilliant.” Aside from being roomy, they “love how easy to clean” the baskets are and that they don’t even have to scrub hard to clean them.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled,” wrote another Amazon customer, adding that “it has exceeded all expectations" and is large enough to cook an entire chicken.

“I’ve cooked a lot of different meats in my Ninja and all of them have turned out just great,” someone said.

While the reviews were mostly positive, some people cautioned that cook time increases when both baskets are in use. Others said there’s a learning curve when it comes to cooking vegetables, but there are plenty of tutorials available online to help you get the perfect texture.

👏 Final verdict

The Ninja DZ550 Foodi 10 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone Smart XL Air Fryer has been a game-changer for our family. It's easier than ever for me to prepare toddler-approved meals at the same time as I'm cooking sides, meats or even baking dessert.

Although the unit is large, it's easy to use, versatile and large-enough for our family of three. Clean-up has never been easier and I no longer dread meal times and don't miss the massive kitchen overhaul afterwards.

If you're looking to delve into the world of air fryers or upgrade your single basket unit to a double, I'd definitely recommend this Amazon Black Friday deal on the Ninja DZ550 Foodi 10 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone Smart XL Air Fryer. For a limited time only, you can save 41 per cent on the model, which regularly retails for $320.

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.

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